Parents often query the value of an arts degree. They are worried that arts is not a fast-track to a career in the same way an engineering or computing qualification might be.
Careers advisers at third level would counter with the argument that a substantial proportion of employers are seeking graduates from any discipline. In addition, students who study subjects they enjoy are likelier to do well at college. This is important, in the light of non-completion rates of 9 per cent in universities and 33 per cent in institutes of technology.
There is also the argument that third-level education is not meant to be a professional or vocational course, but a general education.
However, some arts degrees are quite focused. "Arts" may cover degree courses in, for instance, psychology, information technology, maths or economics.
Many arts graduates will find they need to top up their qualification with an additional year's vocational or conversion-type course. The latest survey of graduate destinations, carried out by the Higher Education Authority, found that 44 per cent of 1998 graduates with primary degrees in arts and social science were employed on April 30th 1999. This compares with 54 per cent of science graduates and 69 per cent of business and commerce graduates.
Insurance, financial, business and commercial computer services was the single biggest sector of employment for arts and social science graduates in Ireland (25.3 per cent). The same sector employed 15.3 per cent of such graduates overseas.
Forty-three per cent of those employed in Ireland were earning between £9,000 and £14,999, and 3 per cent earning more than £19,000, though 5 per cent were earning less than £5,000. Salaries for arts and social science graduates are generally lower than their business and engineering counterparts.
There was a slight increase in the proportion of arts and social science graduates seeking employment, up from 2.3 per cent in 1997 to 2.4 per cent in 1998. The emigration rate among respondents fell from 13.4 per cent in 1997 to 11.4 per cent in 1998.
Almost a quarter of arts and social science graduates went on to research work or further study, with 10 per cent going into teacher training. A further 13.9 per cent were engaged in other vocational or professional training.
Often when people think of arts they look only to the universities. But, increasingly, colleges more generally associated with business, technical and engineering education - the institutes of technology, UL and DCU - are offering humanities-based courses. In addition, three colleges traditionally associated with teacher training - St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and St Angela's College, Sligo - also have substantial humanities offerings.
Mature applicants may be particularly interested in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, which reserves 30 per cent of places for mature applicants on its BA degree.
Certificate/diploma courses
The HEA survey found that 60 per cent of graduates with a certificate in humanities were engaged in further study, presumably topping up their qualification to diploma level. A further 35 per cent were working while 2.7 per cent were seeking employment.
From diploma level, 31 per cent of graduates were continuing their studies, presumably to degree level. Fiftyseven per cent were employed and 3.5 per cent were seeking employment on the date of the survey.
Denominated entry
ARTS is offered as an omnibus degree programme by UCD (1999 cut-off: 380* points), NUIGalway (390 points), NUIMaynooth (360* points), UL/Mary Immaculate(390 points), St Angela's (350 points), St Pat's, Drumcondra (405) and UCC (380* points).
The asterix means that random selection applied; not all applicants with this points level were offered a place. St Patrick's College, Maynooth, offers theology and arts (cut-off 340*). You need to read the college prospectuses carefully and check which subjects are offered by the particular college you are interested in and which combinations are permitted.
TCD's approach differs in that it offers direct entry to its programmes so if you apply for an arts programme in TCD, under TR001, you must choose your subject combination in advance. Last year, cut-off points ranged from 310 for both Russian and modern Irish to 540 for psychology and 495 for both English and history.
This year, UCD is offering economics, history, philosophy and psychology as separate entry programmes as well as through their omnibus arts programme.
There are 20 first-year places in economics (DN051), 12 in history (DN052), five in philosophy (DN053), and 35 in psychology (DN054).
Two private colleges - American College, Dublin, and LSB, Dublin - offer arts degrees. LSB also offers a one-year arts in cultural studies certificate while American College offers a humanities certificate. Both colleges are fee-paying, but fees may be tax-deductible at the standard rate of income tax. Subjects such as anthropology, psychology and philosophy are not available at second level. If you're choosing one of these subjects you should put a little extra time into finding out about the discipline.
For instance, UCD's literature cautions that psychology is a scientific subject which includes a course in statistics. "A willingness to tackle such a course is essential. In addition, a questioning attitude and reasoning skills are desirable." Many students confuse the study of psychology with therapy.
Bachelor of music at DIT
The DIT has announced it is "radically" revising and expanding its BMUs. The new integrated four-year degree offers students the opportunity to specialise in performance, composition, traditional Irish music and instrumental/vocal teaching (incorporating DT602, diploma in music teaching).
Students follow a common course for the first two years and then specialise. Students who were considering applying for DT602 should now apply for FT601, the BMus. For further information check the college's website at http://www.dit.ie or contact the admissions office, tel (01) 402 3445.
New courses
Heritage studies at GMIT Castlebar
If you're thinking of taking the three-year national diploma in heritage studies, the announcement that an add-on degree is now available is good news. Dr Richard Thorn, head of the campus, said "this is a milestone for our five-year-old campus and represents the first degree course to be offered in Mayo by a Mayobased third-level college."
The diploma includes a broad range of subjects relating to Irish heritage, including on the landscape, archaeology, earth sciences, literature, history, folklore, rural geography, environmental studies, ecology and rural tourism.
The new add-on year includes modules on heritage tourism, environmental management and planning, practice and method in archaeology as well as information management and enterprise development. The BA in heritage was developed in conjunction with GMIT's main campus in Galway which already offers this degree. It is envisaged that students on both degree programmes will collaborate on joint projects, field trips and other subject areas.
Science education
Yesterday's College Choice mentioned UL's well-established degree LM092 (science with concurrent teacher education - biological sciences with physics or chemistry). Interested students should also note the college's new offering - LMO096, science with concurrent teacher education (physics and chemistry).
Journalism
Journalism grabs the imagination of many school-leavers. Job opportunities seem to be increasing but students should be prepared to spend their first few years after graduation working on a freelance basis.
The cut-off points for DCU's journalism degree were 475 last year, while you would have needed 455 to get a place on DIT's degree. Griffith College, a private fee-paying college in Dublin, also offers a journalism degree through the CAO (1999 cut-off: 260 points).
Another route into journalism is a postgraduate qualification. These courses are open to graduates of all disciplines but entry is quite competitive. A number of Post-Leaving Certificate colleges also offer journalism courses.
Open university
When it comes to higher education and January the focus is the CAO and full-time courses.
However, there are some 3,000 students studying with Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre. About 1,000 students are studying for a humanities degree with some 1,300 enrolled on the information technology degree.
Centre director Prof Dennis Bancroft says the motives for study vary. "Many people wish to further their careers (without interrupting them) while others use us to enter higher education for the first time. Others again study for fun," he adds.
Oscail is based at DCU, Dublin 9, and may be contacted by phone at (01) 7045481.
Helpline
Students, parents and teachers with queries about colleges, courses and application procedures are invited to call the College Choice helpline between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. today. Tel: (01) 6791915/6791919